Two military motorcycle clubs distance themselves from call to gather at Islamic Cultural Centre in Riga

The military motorcycle club “Perkūnas MMC” and the Latvian veterans' club “Patrioti MMC” have issued a joint statement on Facebook. In it, the clubs distance themselves from calls to gather in Riga at the Latvian Islamic Cultural Centre on 24 October. They say that the name and symbols of “Perkūnas MMC” are being used in spreading these calls without the knowledge of the club's leadership.

What the statement says

The clubs posted the message in Lithuanian, English and Latvian. They described what is happening as an “information attack in Latvia”. The leadership of “Perkūnas MMC” separately stresses that the club is neither an organiser nor a sponsor of the event and will not take part in it. The statement reads: “The club's name and symbols are being used in this initiative without any approval or permission from the leadership.”

How the club describes itself

“Perkūnas MMC” calls itself a non-political association whose activities have no connection to political or religious issues. Its leadership says that the circulated materials are not its official communication and do not reflect the club's activities.

Appeal to the public

The clubs urge the public not to link the club's name with the event in question and not to spread misleading information. The statement does not say who circulated the calls or who used the club's name and symbols without permission.